Bloodbath

Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 49 of BABY HEISTER, it's the mother of all shootouts when Kelle and Simon go face-to-face with the Yakuza gang leader who killed Kelle's parents during their last, ill-fated bank robbery ...


EXT. TENEMENT BUILDING - REAR ALLEY - NIGHT
Kelsey goes to the fire escape.
Grabs the bottom rung.

Starts climbing.
Simon follows her up.

INT. YUNG PARK SOH’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Tastefully done in ‘early dorm room.’
And the boxes of stolen electronics
are a nice touch.

Yung lies in bed with his NAKED GIRLFRIEND (18)
watching some action movie on a flat-screen.

YUNG
Kill ‘em, MOTHERFUCKA --

Naked giggles. Loads a giant BONG with pot.
Pulls out a lighter. FIRES it up.
Takes a big hit. Starts COUGHING.

Hands the bong to Yung.
He scarfs up the rest. Holds it in.

OUTSIDE
Kelsey and Simon stand on each side
of the window. Peer in.

KELSEY
(whispers)
Gonna be easy. Fucker’s wasted.

SIMON
Still gotta be careful. Dude’s Yakuza.

Kelsey nods. Crouches down.
Grabs the bottom of the window.

Slowly opens it -- SCREECH.
They move away. Wait. Then look.

SIMON
TV’s on too loud.

KELSEY
(nods)
On the count of three --

ON THE TV SCREEN
A big gang fight in a warehouse.
You know the cliche.

A dozen YAKUZAS fight each other
in a whirlwind. A real bloodbath.

YUNG AND NAKED
Stare at the screen. Transfixed.

ON THE FIRE ESCAPE
Kelsey pulls out her gun. Simon, his.

KELSEY
(mouths silently)
One, two --

They JUMP in the window.
Start FIRING. Yung gets HIT.

He SCREAMS. GRABS an Uzi.
Starts SPRAYING bullets at them.

Kelsey gets HIT in the arm.
JUMPS back. Simon DUCKS.

More MACHINE GUN FIRE.
The girl SCREAMS. Then silence.

Kelsey holds her arm.
Sees the blood. Gasps.

SIMON
You’ve been HIT.

KELSEY
It’s okay. Just nicked me.

SIMON
What do we do now?

She slowly peers around the corner. Looks.

IN THE APARTMENT
Naked lies on the floor.
Bleeding. No sign of Yung.

KELSEY
Looks at Simon, wide-eyed.

KELSEY
He’s GONE. C’mon --

She RACES down the fire escape.
Simon follows. They JUMP down.

Start RUNNING toward
the front of the building --

INT. SHITTY APARTMENT BUILDING ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Yung RUNS out the front door.
JUMPS on his motorcycle,
just as Kelsey and Simon
DASH around the corner.

He sees them.
SPRAYS them with MACHINE GUN FIRE.
They HIT the ground.

A DISPLAY OF FRUIT
Gets SHREDDED with bullets.
Pulp FLIES in the air.

YUNG
KICK-STARTS the bike.
The engine ROARS. He TAKES OFF.

KELSEY
JUMPS up. Aims her gun at him. SCREAMS.

KELSEY
NOOO.

She FIRES at him.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

Bullets HIT the bike.
Yung loses control.
FLIES in the air.

It SKITTERS down the street.
He JUMPS up. Looks around.
Can’t find his Uzi.

Kelsey and Simon RUN toward him.
He turns. Sees them. Eyes flashing.

He pulls out a SWITCHBLADE.
FLIPS the blade open.

Kelsey stops. Aims her gun
at him with both hands. Sneers.

KELSEY
You killed my PARENTS.
(growls)
Now it’s YOUR TURN.

She pulls the trigger. CLICK. And again.
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK.
He smiles. Starts LAUGHING.

YUNG
Now I cut you in little pieces.

Simon steps into frame.
Offers his gun to Kelsey.

SIMON
Take it --

She DROPS hers. GRABS his --
as Yung CHARGES her.

YUNG
GAAA --

She FIRES. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.
The bullets stop him in mid-air.

He FLOPS to the ground
like a rag doll, THWUMP.

Kelsey stares. Horrified.
She VOMITS. Wipes her mouth.

A small crowd of ONLOOKERS appear.
A siren starts WAILING.

SIMON
(grabs her hand)
C’mon, let’s get the fuck outta here --

Love Never Dies

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 48 of BABY HEISTER, a SWAT team gets ready to blast their way into Doc and Kelsey's safe house, but little do they know that the gang had moved next door into their 'back up' safe house. Meanwhile, now that Doc and Jo are asleep, Kelsey and Simon get ready to go get revenge on the Yakuza gang leader that killed Kelsey's parents ...


EXT. DOC’S WAREHOUSE - DUSK
A SWAT truck is at the curb.
Flint and Darryl talk with the
TACTICAL FORCE COMMANDER,
(40’s), big, tough, no-nonsense.

SWAT COMMANDER
We gotta problem.
The door to the stairs
has been welded shut.
Only way up is on the elevator --

FLINT
Which is now toast,
with dead heisters, over easy.

DARRYL
Can someone climb up the cables?

SWAT COMMANDER
They’ve been cut.

FLINT
And the windows are secured --

DARRYL
(to SWAT Commander)
What do you think?
You’re the expert.

SWAT COMMANDER
We go up to the roof,
blow a hole, then go in.

FLINT
He’s not there.

DARRYL
Bullshit. Where could he have gone?

FLINT
After those two assholes tried
a double-cross and crash-landed,
he split.
(points)
See the roofs up there?
They’re connected.
He could be anywhere by now.

DARRYL
I say he’s still in there.
(to Swat Commander)
Go ahead. Blow the fucker up.

INT. SHITTY HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Completely bare, except for
a bare mattress on the floor.

Next to it, an ancient,
old-school transistor radio.

Simon lies on the mattress.
Kelsey comes into the room.

KELSEY
Finally. They’re asleep.

SIMON
I can’t believe they still -- do it.

KELSEY
Love never dies, I guess.

SIMON
Fucking gross.

KELSEY
I think it’s sweet.

SIMON
Give you any ideas?

KELSEY
In your dreams.

She pulls her gun out
from behind her back.

Checks the clip.
CRACKS it back in, KA-CHINK.

KELSEY
Cops gone?

SIMON
Yeah. Boy, were they PISSED
when they didn’t find anything.
(beat)
You sure you wanna do this.

KELSEY
Never more sure of
anything in my life.

SIMON
Then let’s go punch out
his fortune cookie.

KELSEY
Fortune cookies come
with Chinese food.
He’s Japanese.

SIMON
You’re confusing me with
someone who gives a duck sauce --

Golden Parachute

Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 47 of BABY HEISTER, Doc cuts the cables in the elevator shaft, killing the heisters that tried to pull a double-cross on them. Meanwhile, outside the building, the cops who are searching the neighborhood hear the commotion ...


INT. ELEVATOR SHAFT - DAY
The platform sits
immobile in the darkness.

Atlas and Helmut look over
the railing down below.

ATLAS
What the fuck are we gonna DO?

HELMUT
We could climb down the cables --

ATLAS
But what about the money?
We can’t carry it, the
fucking bags are too big.

HELMUT
We throw ‘em down.

ATLAS
No, I mean outta here.
It’s too much for us to CARRY.

DOC (O.C.)
Hey, TRAITORS.
How you doin’ down there?

ATLAS
(to Helmut)
What does HE want?

DOC (O.C.)
I’d like to say it’s
been nice knowing you,
but I’m a TERRIBLE liar.
(beat)
Time to CUT THE UMBILICAL CORD.

A cable SNAPS.
One of the four corners LURCHES down.

Atlas and Helmet start to slide toward it.
GRAB onto the car.

ATLAS
What the fuck are you DOING?

DOC (O.C.)
It’s your golden parachute.

Another cable SNAPS.
The car starts PLUMMETING DOWN.

AERIAL POV
The car PLUNGES down like a rock.
HITS the bottom. BANG.

INT. DOC’S LOFT - ELEVATOR LANDING - CONTINUOUS
Doc holds a giant pair of bolt-cutters.

DOC
Except you just got the SHAFT.

EXT. WAREHOUSE - DAY
An unmarked Crown Vic is parked at the curb.
Flint Cole and Darryl Rooker
stand on the sidewalk
looking at the building.

DARRYL
What the fuck was THAT?

FLINT
Sounds like the natives are restless.

They RUN to the front door.

INT. SHITTY HOTEL ROOM - DUSK
Simon and Kelsey sit on the bed.
Jo, on a wooden chair.

Doc closes the adjoining door to the loft.
Grabs a handle on the wall, SHOVES it down.
We hear a CHINK, CHINK, CHINK.

KELSEY
What’s that?

DOC
Steel rods.
They go through the door.
Even if they could find it,
they couldn’t open it.

KELSEY
But we’re still fucked.
The entire area is gonna be
swarming with cops when they find
the truck in the elevator shaft.

DOC
Not necessarily.
One of the reasons
I chose these buildings
is the rooftops on the
whole block are connected.
They’re gonna think we went up
to the roof and escaped.
(beat)
So now we just chill out
and get a good night’s sleep.
We need to be rested for
the bank job tomorrow morning.

KELSEY
What about the semi?

DOC
I’ve got it handled.
I made a call.

KELSEY
But where’s the semi gonna TAKE us?
We need to figure out --

DOC
Relax. I have an old friend
down in the Marina, Zulf Masters,
a retired yegg.

KELSEY
How’s a safecracker gonna help us?

PUSH IN ON Jo’s face. Smiling.

JO
He also sells boats --

Death Warrant

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 46 of BABY HEISTER, the cops get a line on the location of Doc and Kelsey's safe house. Meanwhile, just as Doc, Kelsey and the gang prepare to move their backup safehouse next door, Atlas and Helmut attempt to double-cross them ...


INT. ABANDONED GROCERY STORE - DAY
A beehive of activity.
Cops sit at desks, work the phones.

A red-faced IRISH COP (50’s)
marks addresses on the big map.

Flint stands with Darryl Rooker
in a corner by the coffee machine.

He takes a sip from his cup.
Makes a face.

FLINT
Tastes like liquid ass.

DARRYL
No luck yet, huh?

FLINT
It’s a real bitch.
Going door to door.
Big fucking area, you know?
We get anything else
from Frick and Fuck?

DARRYL
Nah. They’re all lawyered up.

A SHORT, ROUND OFFICER (20’s)
walks up to them. Excited.

Holding a piece of paper.
Waves it in the air.

SHORT, ROUND OFFICER
Hey, Cole.
I think I’ve got something.

FLINT
Costello.
Still trying to make detective?

COSTELLO
Listen to this.
I found a building that’s owned
by what looks like a shell company
in the Cayman Islands.

FLINT
What makes you think
it’s a shell company?

COSTELLO
Most of the other buildings
are owned by local businesses,
a few from out of state,
but The Cayman Islands?
I mean, what the fuck?

DARRYL
Makes sense. A lot shady businesses
have off-shore accounts there.
Away from the prying eyes of Uncle Sam.

COSTELLO
Exactly. And if you wanted to maintain
some kind of hideout, you know --
almost untraceable.

FLINT
Good job, Costello.
(takes the piece of paper, to Darryl)
C’mon. Let’s go check it out.
(to Costello)
This pans out, looks like someone’s
gonna get their gold shield.

INT. SHITTY HOTEL SUITE - DAY
A threadbare room, complete with the
requisite threadbare furniture.

Threadbare rug.
Shitty painting of a ship at sea.

Doc stands in the middle of room.
Kelsey and Jo look at the
environs with distaste.
The bare mattress on the bed.

DOC
I know it’s not The Ritz.
But it’s only temporary.

KELSEY
But there’s six of us --

DOC
Oh, there’s plenty of rooms,
don’t worry.

A car engine ROARS next door.

JO
What’s that?

DOC
Those assholes are trying a CROSS.

INT. DOC’S LOFT - DAY
Jack Cotton’s truck sits in the elevator,
Atlas behind the wheel.

Helmut closes the gate,
gun in hand. Doc RACES over.

DOC
What the fuck do you think you’re DOING?

HELMUT
Getting too hot in here, pops.
And besides, why do the job
when we can take your stash?
(waves the gun)
Take one more step and it’s
boom, boom, boom, out go the lights.

Kelsey and Jo appear behind Doc.

KELSEY
You fucking ASSHOLE.

JO
You’ll never get away with this.

DOC
You just signed your death warrant.

Atlas reaches over, FLIPS the switch.
The gears start GRINDING as
the elevator starts going down.

ATLAS
See ya in the funny papers, old man.

As soon as he’s out of sight.
Doc RACES over to the electrical panel.
Starts FLIPPING switches.

THE METAL SHUTTERS
Start coming down over the windows.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

DOC
Looks at Kelsey and Jo.

DOC
Don’t worry. I’ve got ‘em trapped.

Doc grabs the master power lever,
THROWS it down. The lights go OFF.

And, down below --
the elevator stops GRINDING.

HELMUT (O.C.)
HEY.

KELSEY
GOT ‘em.

Simon comes out of the bathroom. Puzzled.

SIMON
The power went off.

JO
Zorba the Greek and Hitler
tried to take off with the stash.

KELSEY
But Doc cut the power,
and now they’re stuck half-way
down the elevator shaft.

DOC
It’s as good as gone.

KELSEY
What do you mean?

DOC
There’s no way to get it back.

JO
What are we gonna DO?
That was our life SAVINGS.

DOC
We cut the cable and
serve ‘em up to the cops.
The noise will bring ‘em in.

JO
THEN what?

DOC
We do the bank job, then
get the fuck out of Dodge --

The Great Escape

In Chapter 45 of BABY HEISTER, robbery-homicide cops start searching every building in LA's downtown warehouse district looking for Doc and Kelsey's safe house ... which Doc and Kelsey see out the window, and then start making preparations to move to their 'back up safe house' next door ...


EXT. WAREHOUSE - DAY
Down the street a few doors down,
an unmarked police sedan
parks at the curb.

We see a pair of
DETECTIVES in the car.

INT. UNMARKED POLICE SEDAN - DAY
The detective on the passenger side,
big and bulky in a shitty suit(40’s)
lights a smoke.

The other, tall and thin (30’s),
sits behind the wheel.

They look at each other. Nod.

EXT. DOWNTOWN CITY STREET - DAY
Bulky and Tall get out of the car.
Walk to the door.

EXT. RUNDOWN WAREHOUSE - DAY
A few blocks away sits a
rundown, crumbling warehouse.

Another pair of DETECTIVES
stand at the entrance.

One wields a crowbar.
CRACKS OPEN the door.
They go in.

ON A WAREHOUSE ROOFTOP
Sits another DETECTIVE
with binoculars.

He looks across the way
into the windows of the
buildings across the street.

AT THE COMMAND CENTER
A TIRED, UNIFORMED COP (30’s)
sits at his desk on the phone.

UNIFORMED COP
I know the building’s
not being used, Mr. Magid.
But we still need to search it --

INT. DOC’S LOFT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
The planning session has broken up.
Jo is serving coffee.

Kelsey stands at the window.
Sees something.

KELSEY
Oh, shit.

DOC
What’s wrong?

KELSEY
There’s cops out there
going building to building.

Everyone rushes to the windows.
Looks out.

DOC
Unmarked Crown Vic. Fuck.

ATLAS
So whadda we do?

HELMUT
We gotta get the fuck outta here.

DOC
Relax.
I can shut off the power
so the elevator won’t work.

KELSEY
What about the stairs?

DOC
I had the door on each floor
welded shut.

SIMON
So they can’t come up.

DOC
Exactly.
People do that all the time.
Keeps out vagrants.

HELMUT
So we’re trapped in here?

DOC
Relax.
also own the building next door.

KELSEY
That fleabag hotel?

DOC
Yeah. Pays the utilities.
And the top floor
is closed for repairs.
A back-up safe house,
so to speak.
(beat)
We don’t have much time.
Jo, Kelsey.
Start covering the furniture.
(to the guys)
You three help me start
moving shit next door.

Doc walks over to a cement wall
demarcated in six-foot-wide sections.

He presses one of the joints,
and a section SLIDES OPEN,
revealing a hotel room
on the other side.

DOC
Don’t worry.
We’ll leave the light on.

No Muss, No Fuss

Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 44 of BABY HEISTER, robbery-homicide chief Darryl Rooker sets up his task force in downtown LA with a view to finding Doc and Kelsey's gang's safe house. Meanwhile, Kelsey and the gang plot their next bank job ... where Kelsey's parents were killed trying to rob it ...


INT. ABANDONED GROCERY STORE - DAY
The task force headquarters.
A big, wide open space now filled
with a couple dozen COPS
sitting at makeshift desks.

Darryl Rooker stands in front
of a giant map of Los Angeles.

Flint Cole is next to him,
sipping coffee.

DARRYL
I’m sure you all know
detective Flint Cole --
who just brought in two of
Doc Hazard’s gang from
the armored car job
in Palm Springs.

Flint smirks. Nods.
A smattering of applause.

DARRYL
As you all know, the rest of the gang
are holed up somewhere around here
in an abandoned warehouse.
Detective Luna is working on
identifying the owners of each building --

A burly HISPANIC COP raises his hand.

DARRYL
And then his team is going
to go building to building.
The rest of you are going to split up
into pairs and patrol the area
in twelve-hour shifts around the clock.

A smattering of murmuring
and groans all around.

DARRYL
Let me remind you that THIS GANG
was responsible for the recent riots
which cost the city MILLIONS
of dollars in damages.
(looks at Flint)
Do you have anything to add, Cole?

FLINT
(raises his cup)
Let’s be careful out there.

INT. DOC’S LOFT - DINING AREA - DAY
Everyone sits around the giant table.
Atlas stands, points at a map
spread out in the middle.

ATLAS
This here’s the store next to the bank.
We got the windows blacked out,
and scaffolding in front of it
with one of those construction walls
in front of that.
(points)
We wheel the Dumpster out the front door,
then into the bank --

KELSEY
Excuse me. Can I ask you something?

ATLAS
Yeah, sure.

KELSEY
Your plan is to take the money
after it’s been delivered?

HELMUT
Yeah. What’s your point?

KELSEY
Well, the money’s being delivered
by armored car, right?

ATLAS
Yeah --

KELSEY
Then why not grab the dough
before it goes in the bank?
The can arrives in the back alley, right?

ATLAS
Yeah --

KELSEY
Wouldn’t that simpler?

HELMUT
I guess --

KELSEY
(stands, points on the map)
We have the Dumpster already
waiting in the alley here,
which saves time.
All we gotta do is scramble
their radio signal,
smoke ‘em out
and fill it with cash.

SIMON
Fuckin’ brilliant.

JO
That’s our Kelsey.

DOC
Escape or hole up?

KELSEY
Escape. We jack the truck that delivers
the Dumpster when it gets delivered.
Then after we load it up, we drive it
to a semi we’ve got stashed nearby.
No muss, no fuss.
(off their looks)
Holing up next door would be stupid.
Cops are gonna comb EVERY inch of the area.
(beat)
Any questions?

Reach Out And GPS Someone

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 43 of BABY HEISTER, Kelsey and Simon leave the safe house to get supplies, but first go and scope out the home of the Yakuza gang leader that killed Kelsey's parents with a view to getting revenge ...


INT. DOC’S LOFT - DAY
Kelsey and Simon stand
near the elevator,
both incognito in
baseball caps and shades.
Jo hands her a piece of paper.

KELSEY
(reads it)
That’s a lot of stuff.

JO
Well, now we’ve got
six mouths to feed.

DOC
(hands her a roll of bills)
This should take care of it.

KELSEY
I’ve got a craving for sushi.
You mind if we stop
in Little Tokyo first?

JO
That’s a great idea.
Bring some for me?

KELSEY
Okay. Be back soon.

Kelsey and Simon get on the elevator.
Close the gate.

Simon hits the switch.
They start going down.
Doc looks at Jo.

DOC
I just hope they can keep it
in their pants until after the job.

EXT. LITTLE TOKYO - CITY STREET - DAY
A block filled with
and restaurants.

Signs all in Japanese.
As are most of the pedestrians.

Simon and Kelsey walk
down the sidewalk looking
at everything in wonder.

KELSEY
I’ve never been here.
It’s so cool.

SIMON
We don’t have this in London.

KELSEY
I can’t believe it was so easy
to find his address.

SIMON
The Internet is your friend.

KELSEY
Don’t have a computer.

SIMON
(pulls out his smart phone)
Reach out and GPS someone.

Simon reads the numbers
on the doors.

He stops in front of a doorway
between a fruit stand
and an electronic store.

SIMON
This is it.

KELSEY
So what do we do now?

SIMON
Let’s go round back.
Check out the alley.

EXT. LITTLE TOKYO - BACK ALLEY - DAY
Surprisingly neat. No garbage.
Kelsey and Simon look at
a fire escape on the back
of the building.

SIMON
That’ll work.

Kelsey pulls out her gun.
Heads over to the ladder.

KELSEY
C’mon. Let’s do it.

SIMON
Put that away. Too risky.
We’ll come back later tonight
when it’s dark.
(off her look)
Patience, my love.

KELSEY
You said ‘my love.’

SIMON
Sorry about that --

Down For The Count

Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 42 of BABY HEISTER, the gang starts planning robbing the bank where Kelsey's parents were killed by a competing gang of Yakuzas. Meanwhile, robbery-homicide detective Flint Cole puts the screws to Dusty and Reno ...


INT. DOC’S LOFT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Doc, Jo, Kelsey and Simon
sit on couches and chairs.

Atlas Demo and Helmut Wolf
stand in the middle of the room.

DOC
What about Gino and Zvi?
Can’t they do it with you?

ATLAS
Zvi retired. Got a gig at Macintosh.

HELMUT
Gino’s doing a race in Italy.
Can’t reach him.
And we need three people.
A driver, and two more to
handle the front and back doors.

ATLAS
We rented the joint next door
for three months, so it’s still
there for us to hide out in.
Scaffolding is still up.
Why let it go to waste?

KELSEY
Sounds good.

SIMON
Yeah. Count me in.

ATLAS
And here’s the best part.
The bank is almost done being rebuilt.
In a couple days ALL the money
is being transferred back.
Gotta be several million.

DOC
How are the two of you
gonna carry that much cash?

HELMUT
We dress as construction workers.
Wheel in a Dumpster.
Then wheel it next door.

Doc narrows his eyes.
Nods slowly. Thinking.

DOC
Okay --
(beat)
But only if Kelsey’s in charge.

KELSEY
Doc?

HELMUT
Wait a minute.

ATLAS
Yeah. What the fuck?

DOC
I trained her myself.
She’s got what it takes.
And this job means a lot to her.

HELMUT
Well, that’s great, but what
kind of experience does she have?

DOC
We jacked a can using her plan --
and then later, when our driver
tried to hijack our limo
SHE saved the day.
Shot him in the head
like swatting a fly.
You wanna use this
as a base of operations,
she’s in charge. Got it?

They look at Kelsey.
Shrug. Nod slowly.

KELSEY
Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.

INT. POLICE VAN - NIGHT
Reno leans back against the wall.
Passed out.

Dusty looks like
he’s on his last legs.

The back door suddenly OPENS.
It’s Flint, holding a bottle of water.

FLINT
Just thought I’d check
on the Glimmer Twins.
See how you’re holding up.
(looks at Reno)
Whoah. Looks like the big guy’s
down for the count.

DUSTY
Water.

FLINT
Ten points. Yes. It’s water --

He climbs in.
Gets real close.
Holds the bottle up.

Twists off the cap.
Takes a sip. Sighs.

FLINT
Crisp and refreshing.

DUSTY
What do you want?

FLINT
You know what I fucking WANT.
SPILL IT. Where’s DOC?
Where’s the fucking MONEY?

DUSTY
You’ll -- give me immunity?

FLINT
Maybe.
(waves the bottle)
Depends on what you give me.

DUSTY
He’s got a safe house.
Some warehouse loft.
Downtown LA.

FLINT
WHERE?

DUSTY
I told you. Downtown.
Don’t know where.

FLINT
We already KNOW that.
I need to know the LOCATION.

DUSTY
I don’t KNOW. Please.
Need -- water.

Flint shakes his
head with disgust.

Opens the bottle.
Starts pouring it on the floor.

FLINT
Whoops --

Up Close And Personal

Hey there, crime kids. TGIF. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 41 of BABY HEISTER, Kelsey and Simon plot the murder of the Yakuza gang leader that killed her parents. Meanwhile, heisters Dusty and Reno await their interrogation at the hands of robbery-homicide detective Flint Cole ...


EXT. WAREHOUSE - ROOF - NIGHT
Kelsey sits on the ledge.
Looking out over the city.

Sipping a bottle of beer.
Smoking. Deep in thought.

CAMERA finds Simon.
Sitting a few feet away.

Takes a chug from a bottle of vodka.
Watching her.

KELSEY
Doc says it’s too dangerous.

SIMON
I could help you.

KELSEY
Really?

SIMON
Yeah. Bastard deserves to die.

Kelsey smiles. He moves a bit closer.

SIMON
You should do that more often.

KELSEY
What.

SIMON
Smile. You always look so -- serious.

KELSEY
Haven’t had a reason.
(whispers)
Until now.

They stare at each other.
Lean in. Softly kiss.

SIMON
I’ve thought about that for a long time.

DOC (O.C.)
There you are.

REVEAL Doc. Standing near
the entrance to the stairs.

Kelsey and Simon pull apart,
the spell broken.

KELSEY
Hey. What’s up?

DOC
Just got a page from Atlas.

KELSEY
Atlas?

DOC
From Griff and Chelle’s crew.

KELSEY
Oh -- wow.

DOC
C’mon downstairs. He’s on his way over.

KELSEY
What does he want?

DOC
Remember that idea you had
about knocking off that bank again?

INT. POLICE VAN - REAR COMPARTMENT - MOVING - NIGHT
Reno and Dusty sit facing each other.
Sweating bullets.

RENO
I’m fucking dying. Need -- water.

DUSTY
He’s doing it on purpose.
You notice how slow we been goin’?

THE VAN
Pulls over to the side of the road
into the shoulder. Stops.

IN THE BACK
Dusty and Reno look at each other.

RENO
What the fuck’s he doing now?

The More The Merrier

Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 40 of BABY HEISTER, robbery homicide detective Flint Cole uses a very unusual method to get information from heisters Dusty and Reno, who he's got trapped in the back of an overheated transportation vehicle. Meanwhile, wheelman Simon Leeds joins the gang in the safe house after being busted for trying to steal a cop's wife's car ...


INT. POLICE VAN - MOVING - DAY
Flint sits in the passenger seat
talking on his cell.

Squints at the GIANT COP
who’s driving (40’s).

FLINT
Rooker. What’s up?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DARRYL ROOKER’S OFFICE - DAY
Rooker sips a mug of coffee. Big smile.

DARRYL
Just got a lead. A big one.
Hitchhiker witnessed a patrolman
get shot in East LA after he
pulled over a hearse with expired tags.

FLINT
What does that have to with
the price of gash in Chinatown?

DARRYL
Sheriff’s office found it
abandoned at a gas station,
dusted it for prints --
and guess who was driving?

FLINT
I dunno. Vincent Price?

DARRYL
Jo Hazard.

FLINT
Fuck me.

DARRYL
It gets better.
She was heading toward downtown LA.

FLINT
Easy place to disappear.
All those old warehouses --

DARRYL
No shit.
We’re setting up a command base
at an abandoned grocery store,
corner of Hill and Third.

FLINT
I’ll head over there after I
finish interrogating Paulie Walnuts
and The Sundance Shit.

DARRYL
Any luck yet?

FLINT
Still waiting.

DARRYL
For what?

FLINT
Them to be well-done.

INT. POLICE VAN - REAR COMPARTMENT - DAY
Reno and Dusty sit on the bench.
Red-faced. Sweating. In agony.

Flint’s smiling face appears
in the window. They look.

See him holding a bottle of water.
Take a long chug. Laugh.

INT. DOC’S LOFT - DAY
Doc, Jo and Kelsey sit on couches
and chairs in the living room area.

Simon stands in front of them.
Looks a bit dishevelled.
But still bright and cheerful.

SIMON
It was bad luck.
Pure and simple.

DOC
A cop’s daughter.

SIMON
Yeah. I mean, how was I to know?
Bloody Nissan Sentra piece of shit.
THAT kinda car NEVER has LoJack.

KELSEY
How soon they pick you up?

SIMON
Ten fucking minutes.

DOC
When’s your court date?

SIMON
Next month.

DOC
So why did you want to see me?

SIMON
Well, I know I
didn’t earn my share,
but when I heard
Reno and Dusty got busted,
I didn’t dare go
back to the motel
to get my stuff.
I just need a place to crash
until I figure out my next move.

DOC
You can stay here for awhile.
(looks at Kelsey)
I’m sure Kelsey won’t mind.

PUSH IN ON Kelsey’s face.
Her secret smile.

KELSEY
Hey. The more the merrier --

The Family That Robs Together, Stays Together

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 39 of BABY HEISTER, Jo joins her husband Doc and her grandaughter Kelsey at the safe house, where they hear on the radio that the Yakuza gang leader that killed Kelsey's parents -- and Jo and Doc's children -- is now out on bail ...


INT. DOC’S LOFT - NIGHT
Classic jazz plays on an old-school boombox.
Kelsey and Doc sit at a long table
near the kitchen area eating dinner.

Candles have been lit.
If you squint your eyes,
it almost looks homey.
Doc spoons a forkful. Chews.

DOC
Franks and beans.
Reminds me of being in the Army.

KELSEY
I’ll go to the store tomorrow
and get some real food.

The motor on the elevator starts GRINDING.

KELSEY
Who’s that?

Doc gets up. Goes to the kitchen counter.
Grabs his gun.

DOC
Should be Jo. She and I are
the only ones that know about this joint.
If it’s not, we’re fucked.

He walks over to the big wooden gate
across the elevator shaft.
Peers through the slats. Gun ready.

Kelsey gets up. Goes to the counter.
Gets HER gun. Joins him.

They listen as the elevator
motor SCREECHES and CLANKS.

DOC
Let’s each take a side. Just in case.

She nods. Moves to the right.
Doc to the left.

The platform reaches the top. Stops.
The gate slowly rises -- revealing Jo.
Sitting in Jack’s truck. She looks at them.

JO
Honey, I’m home --

INT. DOC’S LOFT - KITCHEN - NIGHT
More jazz on the radio. Jo sits
at the table picking at her food. Exhausted.
Doc and Kelsey watch her, concerned.

DOC
How do you feel?

JO
That’s what scares me.
I don’t feel anything.

DOC
That’s because you’re still hopped up
on adrenaline. It’ll hit you later.
(takes her hand)
You know I’m here for you.

Doc’s pager BUZZES.
He fishes it out. Looks at it.
Grabs his cell. Punches a number. Listens.

DOC
Crutch.
(listens)
We killed him.
Said you owed money to some shark,
was there to collect.
(listens)
I thought your fee was a bit high --
(listens)
Simon’s out on bail?
(listens)
Sure. Have him page me.
(listens)
Expect a courier to deliver
your package in a few days.
(listens)
You, too. Bye.

He hangs up. Looks at Jo.
And Kelsey, trying not to smile.

DOC
I gather you all got that.

The music stops.
An ANNOUNCER’S VOICE comes on the radio.

NEWS ANNOUNCER (O.C.)
Good evening, Los Angeles.
This is Shelly Liebowitz with the news.
(beat)
In our top story tonight,
the LAPD has arrested Yung Park Soh,
leader of Yakuza gang The Blood Tigers
in connection with the First National
Bank of California robbery earlier this year.

Everyone WHIPS their head
in the direction of the radio.

KELSEY
Holy SHIT.

NEWS ANNOUNCER (O.C.)
As you may remember, the Blood Tigers
interrupted a bank robbery in progress
during a riot that started due to
a series of explosions set off
by the bank robbers as a diversion.
In a strange twist, the Tigers killed
two of the robbers and made off
with over a million dollars.
The rest of the gang escaped
and are still at large.

Doc gets up. Turns it off.
Kelsey’s eyes BLAZE with anger.

KELSEY
You realize what this means.

DOC
It’s too dangerous.

KELSEY
But I want REVENGE.

DOC
That’s not a good idea, Kelsey.
(beat)
Revenge is a dish best not served.

To Protect And Swerve

Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 38 of BABY HEISTER, Doc shows Kelsey the safe house the gang will be staying at ... in an abandoned warehouse in downtown LA. Meanwhile, robbery-homicide detective Flint Cole informs chief Darryl Rooker about his plans to turn the screws on Doc's crew members he has in custody ...


EXT. DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - DUSK
An abandoned three-story warehouse
surrounded by other old buildings
on a deserted block in
the middle of no-man’s land.

INT. LOFT BUILDING - DUSK
Dark. Quiet. Partitions divide the
giant space into different areas.

Living room. Bedroom. Kitchen. Dining room.
Bathroom. Furniture covered with tarps.

A large, old SERVICE ELEVATOR
rises to the top.

A WOODEN GATE slides back,
and a late-model TOYOTA SEDAN
drives into the room.

Pulls up against the wall.
Kelsey and Doc get out.

KELSEY
This place is fucking COOL.

DOC
Bought the building
twenty years ago, dirt cheap.
Figured someday the shit
would hit the fan and I’d
need someplace safe to hole up.
I set up a shell corporation
in the Cayman Islands
as the official owner.

KELSEY
What’s on the floors below us?

DOC
Nothing. Completely empty.

KELSEY
What about the windows?
Won’t people be able to
look in and see us?

DOC
Watch this.

He walks over to an electrical panel.
Starts flipping switches.

METAL SHUTTERS start
coming down over the windows.

Then starts flipping
another set of switches,
and lights start coming on --
CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK.

KELSEY
Nice. Is there hot water?

DOC
Yep. Utilities are paid by
the corporation in the Caymans.
Any more questions?

KELSEY
Got anything to eat?
I’m fucking starving.

EXT. PALM SPRINGS POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DUSK
A small white building
in a sea of palm trees.

Flint Cole walks outside.
Pulls out his cell phone.
Punches a number.

FLINT
Rooker, it’s me.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DARRYL ROOKER’S OFFICE - DUSK
Darryl sits behind his desk
looking at a file folder.

Sipping coffee.
Holds the receiver against his ear.

DARRYL
Please tell me you’ve got good news.

FLINT
How about two heisters on the half-shell
served on a silver platter?

DARRYL
What the fuck? Where?

FLINT
At the airport. Dumbshits were
having burgers in the restaurant.
Had half a mil in a duffle bag.

DARRYL
Good job. Where are they now?

FLINT
We’re at the Palm Springs lockup.

DARRYL
Did they talk?

FLINT
Of course not.
But don’t worry.
I have my ways.

DARRYL
But Palm Springs won’t
let you get away with --

FLINT
These desert pansy-asses? Course not.
That’s why I’m gonna take ‘em
to LA for questioning.

DARRYL
But you don’t have jurisdiction --

FLINT
I do if I’m questioning them
about Doc’s kids’ bank job.
They caused a fucking riot.
I’ve already called the DA.
We get first crack at them.
THEN Palm Springs gets ‘em.

DARRYL
And you can hold ‘em twelve hours.

FLINT
Yeah, but that doesn’t start
until AFTER I transport them.

DARRYL
Fucking genius.
You’ll interrogate them in transit.

FLINT
Yeah. And, hey --
it’s not my fault
if we get stuck in traffic.
Who knows, we might
even get a flat tire.
(evil smile)
Gets awfully hot in the
back of that tin can --

Lost In The Supermarket

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 37 of BABY HEISTER, things turn deadly when Kelsey and Doc's limo driver tries to hijack them and steal the cash from the armored car robbery ...


INT. LIMOUSINE - MOVING - DAY
Doc and Kelsey sip their drinks.
Doc closes his eyes.

DOC
Sure is nice to sit back and relax
for a spell after all the shit
that’s been going down.

KELSEY
Tell me about it.
(takes a sip)
So I’ve been doing some thinking.

DOC
That could be dangerous.

KELSEY
No. Listen.
It’s about Griff and Chelle.

I was thinking -- wouldn’t it be cool
if we robbed the bank where they --
(beat)
You know, finish what they started?

DOC
(opens his eyes)
Damn. You ARE a heister.

KELSEY
(looks out the window)
Want to feel -- a connection.
Have -- closure.
(realizes)
Hey. Why are we going this way?

DOC
He’s going toward the Marina,
not the freeway.
(raps on the divider)
Mr. Def-Con.
Why are we going this way?

Def-Con doesn’t answer.
Keeps looking straight ahead.

They look at him.
Then each other.

DOC
The fucker’s trying to HIJACK us.

They look out the window.

KELSEY
Now he’s turning.
Where’s he GOING?

DOC
A supermarket?

EXT. SUPERMARKET - PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
A giant mega-market.
Not many cars in the lot
mid-afternoon on a weekday.
The limo pulls around in back.

IN THE LIMO

The divider SLIDES DOWN,
revealing Def-Con, holding a gun.

DEF-CON
End of the line, pops.

DOC
You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.

DEF-CON
I want you to take out your piece
very slowly and toss it toward me.

DOC
Who set us up?
There’s no way Crutch
would have done it.
We’ve worked together twenty years.

DEF-CON
That piece of shit?
He owes my boss forty large.
I just happened to be visiting him
when he got the call from your wife.
(beat)
Your piece. TOSS it. NOW.

Doc sighs.
Slowly pulls his weapon
out from the holster.
Tosses it toward the front. THUMP.

DEF-CON
Now I want both of you to get out
real slow and start walking. Got it?

KELSEY
Okay, okay. Please don’t hurt us.

Doc shakes his head with disgust.
Reaches for the door handle.

Kelsey looks out the window.
Sees something.

KELSEY
Holy shit, there’s a COP.

DEF-CON
(turns, looks)
What the fuck?

Kelsey WHIPS OUT HER GUN and
SHOOTS Def-Con in the head. BANG.

Blood SPLATTERS the windshield.
His body slumps.

Doc stares at her with disbelief.
Then slowly smiles.

DOC
There’s no cop.

KELSEY
Nope.

DOC
Nice shooting.

KELSEY
It’ll do in a pinch.
(smiles)
Whattaya say we jack
a new set of wheels
and blow this popsicle-fuck?

Instant Karma

Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 36 of BABY HEISTER, Kelsey and Doc wait inside the limo for Dusty and Reno, unaware that they've been arrested. Meanwhile, after rescuing Jo from the gang bangers, Jack Cotton tries to rip her off, with deadly results ...


INT. LIMOUSINE - DAY
Kelsey and Doc sit in the back,
sipping cocktails.

KELSEY
I wish we didn’t have to wait for them.

DOC
Heister’s code.
Gotta stick together.
Watch each other’s back.

KELSEY
How about some music. Kill some time.

Doc nods. She reaches over.
Switches it on the radio.

Some shitty auto-tuned
top-forty song plays.

KELSEY
Yuck.

She starts pushing buttons.
We hear snippets of country, classical,
rap -- then a news report.

NEWS ANNOUNCER (O.C.)
-- late breaking bulletin.
Two men were just arrested at
Palm Springs International Airport
in connection with an armored car robbery
at a diner just outside the city limits.
Both suspects are now
being held for questioning.
The authorities have not
released their names --

Kelsey SHUTS it off.

KELSEY
What do we do now?

DOC
Get the fuck outta Dodge.

INT. JACK’S TRUCK - MOVING - DAY
Jack drives east toward
Los Angeles on the freeway.

Jo stares out the window.
Lost in thought. Exhausted.

JACK
Must be alotta dough.
Forty years of heisting.
Gotta be quite a nest egg.

JO
We’ve been enjoying our retirement.

JACK
Took me a long time to get over
you leaving like that.

JO
I fell in love, Jack.

JACK
But you said you loved me.

JO
But I wasn’t IN love.
(off his look)
Don’t get me wrong.
I’ll always love you.

JACK
And I guess being a heister was
more exciting than being a grifter.

JO
I didn’t plan on it, Jack.
It just happened.

Jack turns off the highway
onto the shoulder. Stops.

JO
What are you doing?

He pulls out a GUN.
Points it at her.

JACK
You broke my heart, Jo.
I never got over it.
Now it’s time to break you.

JO
Put the gun down.
You’re acting crazy.

JACK
Get outta the fucking car. NOW.

JO
You think you can just
STEAL our nest egg?

JACK
Sure looks like it.

JO
You realize Doc will hunt you down
to the end of the earth and kill you.

JACK
That’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Outta the fucking CAR. NOW.

JO
Okay. Have it your way.

Jo reaches over to open the door.
YANKS her gun out.
SHOOTS him. BANG. BANG. BANG.

His head HITS the steering wheel.
The horn BLARES. Jo reaches over.
Pushes his body against the seat.

He slumps to the side.
Head THUNKS against the window.
She glares at the body.

JO
Instant Karma’s a bitch.
And so am I --

A Sight For Sore Eyes

Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 35 of BABY HEISTER, robbery-homicide detective apprehends Doc's gang members Dusty and Reno at Palm Springs Airport ... after a grueling chase on foot. Meanwhile, just as Jo is accosted by a vicious group of gang-bangers in East LA, former flame Jack Cotton arrives on the scene to save the day ...


INT. AIRPORT CONCOURSE - DAY
An open-air space with white fabric above
and palm trees surrounding the stairs
going down to a lower level.

Reno and Dusty come RACING down the steps,
Reno hugging the duffle for dear life.
Flint RUNS after them.

They go around a corner.
See a gift shop.

RACE into it.
Flint follows them in hot pursuit.

RENO AND DUSTY
FLY out the back entrance.

FLINT
Runs into the store.
SMASHES into a display of books.

They go FLYING in the air.
The SALESGIRL (18) SCREAMS.

EXT. PLAY PARK - DAY
A grassy area for kids to play.
Jungle gym. Swings. You know the drill.

Reno and Dusty RUN across the grass,
uffing and puffing in
the hundred-degree heat.

FLINT
Comes out onto the grass.
Chasing after them. YELLS.

FLINT
Stop or I’ll SHOOT.

Reno and Dusty look behind them.
See Flint. Reno TRIPS on the curb
where the park ends and goes
FLYING to the ground.

The duffle RIPS OPEN.
Money goes SWIRLING into the air.

Dusty keeps running.
Flint takes aim. Shoots. BANG.
CLIPS him in the leg. He goes down.

FLINT
Don’t fucking MOVE.

Flint walks over to Reno.
Covered in cash.

Holding his hands up.
Aims his gun at his head.

RENO
Don’t shoot, don’t shoot.

FLINT
Ask yourself, punk.
Do you feel STUPID?

INT. HEARSE - DAY
Jo sits behind the wheel,
waiting for Jack.

INT. BACK ALLEY - DAY
A trio of VICIOUS-LOOKING GANG-BANGERS
come around the corner.

See the hearse.
Start walking toward it.

Jo rolls her window up.
Locks the door.

bangers appear in the window. Grinning.
pulls out her gun. Waves it.

JO
Get the fuck OUT OF HERE
or I’ll blow your HEADS OFF.

The LEADER (20’s), Snoop Dogg Lite,
looks at his friends. Chuckles.

Pull out a chrome handgun.
Aims it at her.

SNOOP DOGG LITE
Now is that any way to greet
the welcoming committee, homes?

A GIANT PICKUP TRUCK
appears behind the hearse,
SCREECHES to a halt.

The door FLIES OPEN.
Out pops Jack Cotton, holding a shotgun.
He KA-CHINKS a shell in the chamber.

JACK
Party’s over, slimeballs.
Get your ghetto asses OUTTA HERE,
or I’ll blast you
all the way to COMPTON.

Snoop Dogg Lite raises an eyebrow.
Looks at his friends.

They shrug. He puts
his piece in his waistband.

SNOOP DOGG LITE
You want that old pussy?
You can have her, yo.

They shuffle away.
Jack comes over.
Jo rolls down the window.

JO
Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.

JACK
Baby-doll -- at my age,
everything is sore.

Surf, Sun And Pussy

Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 34 of BABY HEISTER, Kelsey and Doc deplane at LAX and get into a limo to wait for Reno and Dusty to make their escape. Meanwhile, Flint Cole hangs out in the Palm Springs airport bar ... and spots Reno and Dusty, who hightail it out of there ...


EXT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY
The Piper Cub taxis over to
a charter flight hanger.

A black limousine sits nearby.
The cub’s door opens.

Kelsey comes out.
Then Doc, with the bag.
They hustle over to the limo.

IN THE LIMO
The driver’s partition slides down.

A BIG BEEFY BLACK GUY (30’s)
sits behind the wheel.
Turns. Looks at Doc. Smiles.

BIG, BEEFY BLACK GUY
Where do I have the pleasure of
taking you and the young lady today?

DOC
Downtown. But we have to wait
for two more people to get here.

BIG, BEEFY BLACK GUY
No problem.
allow me to introduce myself.
The name’s Douglas.
But my friends call me Def-Con.

KELSEY
I’m Kelsey. This is Doc.

DEF-CON
Pleased to meet you.
Feel free to avail yourself
of the array of spirits at the bar.

Doc sees the bottles and glasses.
His eyes light up.

DOC
Not a bad idea. Take the edge off.

KELSEY
Make mine a double.

INT. AIRPORT RESTAURANT - DAY
One of those bland joints for travelers
that don’t care about ambiance.

Reno and Dusty sit at a table with
burgers, fries and bottles of beer
watching the planes take off.

DUSTY
What are you gonna do with your share?

RENO
Miami, baby. Surf, sun and pussy.
(eats some fries)
Whattaya gonna do with yours?

DUSTY
Think I’ll hit Vegas.

RENO
You fucking kidding me?
That’s just throwing it away --

The door opens. In walks Flint.
He takes a stool.

The HICK BARTENDER (40’s) comes over.
Nods. Real friendly-like.

HICK BARTENDER
What can I get ya?

FLINT
Coffee, to go. Black.

Hick nods. Turns around.
Goes to fix it. Flint’s phone RINGS.
He pulls his cell out.

FLINT
Tell me something good.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DARRYL ROOKER’S OFFICE - DAY
Darryl sits behind his desk.
Looks at a couple of drawings.

DARRYL
Just got a lead.
Sketch of one of the perps.

FLINT
A sketch?
How’s a fucking ghost gonna help me?

DARRYL
It’s not a ghost.
One of the guards is an amateur artist.
Drew it himself. He’s pretty good.
Amazing detail.

FLINT
And --

DARRYL
We ran it against the database,
and guess who’s name came up?

Hick Bartender comes over.
Hands Flint his coffee.

FLINT
Thanks.

DARRYL
You still there?

FLINT
Yeah. I’m waiting --

DARRYL
Reno Black. Known associate of
Griff and Chelle Hazard. Remember him?

FLINT
Reno Black? Hell, yeah.
I put him away a couple years ago.
Bank job in Tucson.

RENO AND DUSTY
Hear him. Turn their heads. Look at Flint.

RENO
(whispers)
Oh, shit. It’s that fucking cop.

FLINT
Sips his coffee. Listens.

FLINT
Well, you know what they say.
Love is better the second time around --

RENO AND DUSTY
Look at each other. Nod.
Slowly get up. Reno grabs the bag.

FLINT
Gets up from his stool.
Grabs his coffee.

Looks out the window at the
waves of heat on the asphalt.

FLINT
Why did it have to be Palm Springs?
It’s a fucking OVEN out there.
(listens)
I’m still in the airport.
Getting some coffee.

Reno and Dusty walk by
feigning nonchalance, heads down.

Flint looks at them
out of the corner of his eye.

FLINT
I’ll be there right away.
And tell the local fuzz
not to touch ANYTHING.

Flint cocks his head.
Suddenly recognizes Reno.

FLINT
HEY.

Reno and Dusty look. Freak.
RUN toward the door. SLAM it open.
FLY into the corridor.

Flint SHOVES the phone in his pocket.
YANKS his gun out its holster.
CHASES after them.

FLINT
Stop, POLICE --

Sore Thumb City

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In Chapter 33 of BABY HEISTER, loose cannon robbery-homicide detective Flint Cole arrives at LAX with a view to nabbing Doc and Kelsey's gang as they try to make their escape. Meanwhile, after shooting a highway patrolman, Jo is stranded in East LA, and enlists the help of Viet Nam vet Jack Cotton, an old flame ...


EXT. LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY
A Yellow Cab pulls up to the curb.
Flint Cole pops out the back door.

SLAMS it. Heads into the building,
on a mission.

AT THE SECURITY CHECK LINE
He flashes his badge at a
SURLY TSA OFFICER.

Cuts ahead of the line.
Goes through the metal detector.

It starts BEEPING. He grins.
Heads down the corridor.

EXT. SHITTY APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAY
A piece-of-shit grey cement slab
of suburban hell on a cul-de-sac
with the freeway right behind it.

The ROAR of traffic going by is deafening.
Ah, beautiful West Covina.

INT. SHITTY APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Threadbare, old furniture. Threadbare decor.
But spic and span clean.

An OLD GUY (70’s) sits in a big wing chair
watching CNN on an old console TV.
Sipping a can of beer.

OLDER GUY
Fucking liberal panty-waists.

The phone RINGS. He reaches over.
Answers it.

OLDER GUY
Jack Cotton --

Meet JACK COTTON. Former Marine.
Still fit, in shape.

A little soft around the edges.
White hair in a buzz cut.

Blue eyes clear and sharp,
if a little red.

JACK
Jo Hazard? How the hell ARE ya --

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. EAST LA STREET - DAY
Jo stands at another pay phone
across the street.

JO
Well, normally, just great --

JACK
What’s wrong? Are you in trouble?

JO
You could say that.

JACK
Out with it, woman. What’s going on?

JO
Doc did a job where
the inside man tried a cross.
A cop got killed,
our cover was blown,
and we had to blow the ranch.
He’s traveling to
our safe house with the crew,
and I’m transporting the stash.

JACK
Holy SHIT. Don’t tell me --
and something fucked you up?

JO
Yeah, got pulled over by a cop --

JACK
And you popped him.

JO
You always were a mind-reader.

JACK
Had to be in Nam.
So I assume you need me to
run a little recon?
Sky you out?

JO
If you could, yeah.
I’m in a bit of a jam.

JACK
Semper Fi, little lady.
Give me your coordinates.

JO
I’m at an abandoned gas station
in East LA on the corner
of Whittier and Soto.

JACK
Nice neighborhood.
What are you driving?

JO
A black, eighty-five Cadillac hearse.
The stash is in the casket.

JACK
No wonder you had to
pull off the freeway.
Sore-thumb city.
(looks at his watch)
I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.

JO
Thanks, Jack. I owe ya one.

JACK
Hey. Didn’t I always tell ya
I’d always be there for ya?

JO
Why do you think I called?

JACK
Move the car behind the building.
Don’t want to tempt the locals
with your splendor.

JO
Don’t worry about me.
I’m a big girl.
Just need a little roadside assistance --